- Ram CEO Antonio Filosa says 40 p.c of truck consumers wish to see a V8 possibility.
- Round 25 p.c of F-150 and 50 p.c of Silverado gross sales are V8.
- Filosa says consumers will not think about a truck model if it would not provide a V8.
The V8 is an American establishment. The enduring eight-cylinder engine has powered pickup vehicles for so long as anybody can keep in mind, and that reminiscence apparently performs an enormous function in what truck consumers need—even right here and now in 2026.
In an interview with The Drive, Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa mentioned that 40 p.c of consumers purchasing for a pickup truck received’t even think about one if it doesn’t provide a V8. The truth is, it would not even matter if that purchaser results in a V8-powered pickup truck in any respect.
But that statistic has formed the market. Ram famously dropped its Hemi V8 within the face of tougher emissions regulations. Regardless of the Hurricane inline-six providing extra energy and gasoline financial system in comparison with the outdated Hemi, Ram gross sales nonetheless suffered—which is why the V8 got here again so shortly.
2027 Ram 1500 Rumble Bee SRT
Photograph by: Ram
The Ram Technique
Filosa expanded on Ram’s shortly evolving powertrain technique:
‘Within the US we’re actually reshaping our powertrain technique in what we name Freedom of Alternative. When you take away the emissions regulation goal by the administration, we understood our clients had been inquisitive about completely different choices, together with a really highly effective inside combustion engine.’
Nonetheless, Filosa didn’t present a lot knowledge to again up the 40 p.c determine. Because it stands, about 25 p.c of Ford F-150 gross sales are V8-powered, whereas the Chevy Silverado boasts a V8 gross sales quantity of round 50 p.c. Ford made a a lot more durable push towards six-cylinder engines, with quite a lot of EcoBoost choices, nevertheless. GM has at all times centered its technique round V8 engines.
Photograph by: Ram
Why V8?
All of it comes all the way down to alternative, which all three main truck manufacturers now provide. Pickup truck consumers, who are sometimes aware of simplicity and longevity, merely need the selection to have a V8 engine, even when they’ll be satisfied in showrooms by objectively superior turbocharged six-cylinder engines.
Pickup vehicles additionally should be critically reliable. Maybe this exhibits that consumers are nonetheless warming as much as turbocharged powertrains of their workhorses and want some convincing to suppose in any other case. The overwhelming majority might not even discover, however a major sufficient core exists for Ram to vary methods.
Motor1’s Take: The reality of the matter is {that a} vital variety of consumers are apprehensive about longevity, particularly wanting on the fallout from Toyota’s V6 engine recall saga. A giant V8 is straightforward and confirmed, whereas smaller turbocharged engines are extra extremely confused and sophisticated by nature.
